The sailing vessel the Spirit was on its way into the Island yesterday after notifying Bermuda Harbour Radio it had taken on water during the early hours of Monday.

It was located 200 miles to the west of Bermuda after departing Norfolk, Virginia, and heading for the Dutch Caribbean island of St. Maarten when a problem with the boat’s keel emerged. Four people were on board and initially managed to limit the water intake with the use of pumps.

However, the owner of the 65-foot vessel called Bermuda Harbour Radio yesterday, to report the problem had deteriorated and requested the assistance of a tugboat.

Government tugboat the Faithfu> was dispatched and arrived on scene at 8.50 a.m. yesterday.

It was decided that the sailboat would not be towed at the risk of taking on more water. Instead, the Faithful was escortinI>Spirit towards the Island into St. George’s Harbour at the north-eastern corner of Ordnance Island. As of yesterday at 3.15 p.m. both boats were 90 miles west/south-west of Bermuda, travelling at seven knots. They were expected to arrive at around 12.20 a.m. this morning. Spi<$> will undergo repairs, before continuing on to St. Maarten or returning to Virginia.